Mars in Loudoun Crash

Jacqueline Badger Mars, who has been ranked as one of the world’s richest people, was driving the SUV that was involved in a fatal two-vehicle crash in Loudoun County on Friday, the county sheriff’s office confirmed.

Mars, with a net worth estimated in the billions, is an owner of Mars Inc., the McLean-based candy, food and beverage firm, which has had annual sales of more than $30 billion. She is a resident of The Plains and has received awards for philanthrophy. She will be 74 on Thursday.

The crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. on Route 50 near Briar Patch Lane in the Aldie area, the sheriff’s office said. Mars was driving a 2004 Porsche SUV that was traveling west when, “for unknown reasons,” it crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2013 Chrysler minivan, the sheriff’s office said.

A back-seat passenger in the minivan, Irene C. Ellisor, 86, of Huntsville Tex., died at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt. Others in the minivan were injured. They were in Virginia for a family wedding.